March 5, 2014

THE SECOND COMING: BUCK 'KNUCKLES' PINEAU RISES FROM THE ASHES

Lewiston, Maine (March 5, 2014) – New England Fights Mixed Martial Arts (NEF MMA) today announced the addition of an amateur middleweight bout to the fight promotion's May 10, 2014 card scheduled to take place at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine. The bout will feature Portland, Maine's Buck "Knuckles" Pineau (7-2) facing Zach Elkins (11-5) at a weight of 185-pounds.

Pineau is currently ranked at number-one among amateur middleweights in the northeast MMA scene. Training out of the Choi Institute, Pineau last saw action in the cage in August 2013. On that night, in the main event of "NEF IX," Pineau gave one of the most memorable performances in Maine combat sports history, defeating Isiah Queen (2-2) via unanimous decision. Mid-way through the first round Pineau suffered a bone-chip fracture and two torn ligaments in his left knee. Refusing to let the doctor stop the fight, Pineau continued on two more rounds, hobbling on one leg and managing to take the second and third rounds from Queen to get the decision.

"It really was one of the most heroic performances ever in the cage," recalled NEF MMA co-owner and promoter Nick DiSalvo. "It was a moment that everyone in attendance will remember until their dying day. The crowd was on fire for Buck."

The price of victory, however, was steep. Pineau would be forced to the sidelines by doctors for the next eight months. Finally cleared to return this May, Pineau will look to defend his top spot in the 185-pound amateur division at "NEF XIII" in Lewiston.

"I am really excited to be stepping back into the NEF cage in May after such a lengthy absence and recovery," said Pineau. "I really appreciate Zach coming all the way up from Florida to make this happen. Zach Elkins is a real tough guy with a ton of experience and he's just the kind of fight I've been looking for. I am super excited for this challenge and as usual, I'll be looking to put on a great show and looking to add another knockout to my record."

Pineau will face stiff competition in the form Zach Elkins. Elkins, who trains at First Coast Full Contact in Orange Park, Florida and is a member of Team Riot, has claimed MMA title belts all over the Sunshine State, including holding the ISCF Florida State Middleweight Championship and defending it for over a year. Elkins is currently the number-eleven ranked amateur middleweight in the country.

"I'm looking forward to this fight with Buck," said Elkins when reached for comment. "He's the number-one guy in the northeast and at this point of my career I want tough fights and this will be a tough fight for both of us."

“On May 10th we’ll witness a true champion versus champion middleweight bout featuring two of the top 185-pound amateur prospects in the country,” stated NEF MMA co-owner and matchmaker Matt Peterson. “This is the second coming of 'Knuckles.’ He’s promising to bring ‘Buck Version 2.0.' I’ve never heard him so motivated to get back into the cage. He’s fired-up and excited to solidify his number one standing in the rankings. We had to go all the way to Florida to find someone willing to fight him, but on May 10th we’ll deliver what he requested—a game, dangerous opponent in Zach Elkins. I cannot wait to watch what goes down in this contest."

“NEF XIII” is scheduled to take place on Saturday, May 10, 2014 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine with a bell time of 7:00 pm. Already announced, Maine State MMA Bantamweight Champion Paul Gorman (10-8) defends against undefeated Kin "Kong" Moy (5-0). In addition, "The" Ryan Sanders (6-4) will rematch Maine State MMA Welterweight Champion Gil de Freitas (15-5) nearly two years after de Freitas defeated Sanders for the inaugural title. Tickets for "NEF XIII" start at just $25 and are on sale now at www.TheColisee.com or by calling The Colisee box office at 207.783.2009 x 525. For more information on the event and fight card updates, please visit the promotion’s website at www.NewEnglandFights.com. In addition, you can watch NEF MMA videos at www.youtube.com/NEFMMA, follow them on Twitter @nefights and join the official Facebook group “New England Fights.”

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Travis Sinclair
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3/05/2014